Brit Who Dreamt of Being Bond Jailed for Spying for Russia
A 66-year-old British man, who fantasised about living a life akin to a James Bond character, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for attempting to spy for Russia.
Howard Michael Phillips was convicted at Winchester Crown Court for assisting a foreign intelligence service after he tried to pass information to individuals he believed were agents of the Russian intelligence service.
The Target: Defence Minister Grant Shapps
The court heard that Phillips was actively trying to provide information concerning Grant Shapps during his tenure as the Minister of Defence.
Unbeknownst to Phillips, he was not communicating with genuine Russian agents. His activities were uncovered by counter-terrorism police, who arrested him and brought the case to court.
Sentencing and Consequences
On 7 November 2025, the judge at Winchester Crown Court handed down the seven-year prison sentence.
This case highlights the ongoing vigilance of UK authorities against foreign espionage threats, even when they originate from within the country's own borders.
